Domaine Les Fines Graves

£8 (WS). Deceptive one. At fist it feels very balanced and clean but there turns out to be virtually no fruit at all save perhaps the faintest hint of black cherry, perhaps? The finish is nonexistent, neither harsh nor satisfying, just missing!

Kaiken Ultra Malbec

Liam kindly brought two of these round when we had steaks last week. He thought they would be a good match and right he was. Dense, velvety texture. Dark purple, almost black colour. Highly savoury and well balanced. Doesn't feel anything like as heavy as it should do for a 15% wine. Very good value at £12. Would be good with duck at Christmas perhaps? I read that 'Kaiken is the Argentine brand of Vina Montes, which is based in Chile.' Liam visited the winery on his recent South American sojourn.